On Sat, 30 May 1998, Phil Kelley wrote:

> I've noticed a big drop off in the number of Rufous Hummingbirds at my
> feeders this year, but I attributed that to the removal of the scotch broom
> next door.

My local native-plant expert tells me that our native Bleeding Heart, a
small, violet flower, is critical as an early spring food source for
Rufous Hummingbirds. Since this flower is being eradicated (along with
many others, of course) with the "development" of our woodlands, it is
understandable that the birds are disappearing. [unavoidable political
footnote follows] To me, this situation immediately raises questions about
how we make people aware of what we're doing to our local ecology to the
point where they get mad enough to stop the destruction.

Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College Voice: 360-866-6000, x. 6755
Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 360-866-6794

Reunite Gondwana!